Overview
- Linke, the Greens and the SPD formally began coalition negotiations in Berlin on Monday and approved a roughly 30‑page sondierungspapier to guide fast‑moving talks.
- Chief negotiators agreed an early housing deal that limits socialization to companies with at least 10,000 apartments, a change aimed at easing SPD concerns.
- The negotiating teams plan rapid follow‑ups, with the Dachgruppe meeting again on Wednesday and 14 thematic working groups to be set up this week to work through finance, housing and climate policy.
- Internal SPD resistance has grown after the 'Nicht um jeden Preis' appeal gathered more than 1,000 signatures from party members and high‑profile figures, prompting at least one SPD negotiator to step back from economic talks.
- The talks face political and practical hurdles because allegations about parts of the Linke and the requirement that any final contract be ratified by party memberships mean leadership deals could still be rejected by rank‑and‑file voters.